Saturday, December 14, 2013

Let's Recycle, Vintage Style!

Hello folks!
So good of you to stop in to see what's on my blog today! This is a long post, so make sure you are comfortable and have some refreshment with you....lol!

This is our last challenge for 2013 and sadly, my last project on the Design Team. More about that later.
Our Challenge #76 is for a Recycled/Repurposed project, anything goes, but please remember, we are a Shabby/Vintage lot here at Sugar Creek Hollow so please do keep this foremost in your mind.

We also have a Guest Designer joining us today - Laney Delaney, and her blog is Laney's Place. Do pop over and take a look at her lovely work!

My project came about through a need for a gift box and remembering this challenge was pending, I could make both happen together! I had to take a hand made gift to a ladies lunch and I made one of those awesome Mannequin Pin Cushions, but being an odd size was stumped as to how to present it. Walking past my hubby's bar, I spotted a fabulous box on the counter, looked the right size, was beautifully made and it was empty!! The Johnnie Walker whisky bottle was out of the box, in fact, missing completely, so I guess my darling hubs knew not to discard the box as his 'crafty' wife would have killed him!


The original box.
 I then ripped out the insides and if you remember reading my last DT post you now know where the gold card came from! I recycled the inside as well (VBG)! I then gave the box a good dose of Gesso, but in hind sight, should have left some areas uncovered so the gold could show through. I had taken a wax crayon and scribbled over the box in places, hoping the Gesso would 'lift' when I sanded it, but it stuck like crazy! A lesson learnt from this project. So, well sanded down, I was ready to go.


The outside, with a good layer of Gesso on it.

I did not take any more photo's of the process as my hands were constantly sticky and to be truthful, I had not planned it, but just looked at the box, scratched around and used whatever I had that I could! In fact, I can truthfully say, this was a totally 'recycled' project as everything originally came off or out of something else!

 Now, to digress a little, I inherited my Gran's Button Jar and I have added to it as well over the years. So often people have passed on buttons from a deceased relative, and all is in this jar. I would love it, if every button could tell me it's story, where it came from, who wore the garment, how old it was etc. What fun!

Because the contents of the box related to sewing I thought of carrying the theme through to decorating the box, so buttons and bits of lace as well as scraps of textured paper I had saved, all found their way onto this box.

The lid with a die cut I rescued and a button with a pearl
in the center taking pride of place.

Below is a picture of the finished project. I Podged all the paper scraps and lace bits onto the Gesso layer and added some more texture interest by using a Tim Holtz Burlap Stencil and Vintage Photo Distress Ink and ponced it over everything, filling in the empty spaces. 
The edges, top and bottom, have a layer of pretty lace around it and some satin roses that were also in the button jar (?). I selected a lot of buttons and tied ribbon or cord bows through the holes in the buttons and hot glued them on at random.  All the lace came out of a box I inherited from a porcelain doll maker's estate and it was full of all sorts of interesting bits and pieces. I snipped the longer lengths up and podged them onto the box. I found some flowers I had pulled off projects of old and placed them onto the box as well. Some were paper, others fabric. Also found some Washi Tape I had used, but did not like, on a previous project and discarded, so tore it up and stuck pieces onto the box as well.


Recycled into a useful new storage box.
 Below is a picture of the Mannequin Pin Cushion, next to the box. I had stamped the fabric using script and swirl stamps and Stazon Saddle Brown ink. Narrow strips of lace were attached to the seams and I placed tiny pearls all along the lace with two rows of pearls around the edges at the bottom. A friend gave me some of this lovey pleated ribbon which I attached to the hem and neckline. No lady should be seen out without her pearls on, so a couple of strings were made and attached as well.  A Satin rose from the button jar was placed at the waistline for interest.


Recycled box and contents!
A close up of the pearl necklace!
A back view of the mannequin with pretty laced up detail!


The base with pretty paper roses and a
bow!

I sincerely hope that the recipient uses it for something useful, like knitting needles etc. 

I do hope you have enjoyed my project this week and will pop over to visit my 'teamies' - links on the right side bar, and then take a good look around your homes for something to recycle/repurpose and enter it into our challenge.

So, after many months of working with Cec and the girls, it is time for me to say thanks and goodbye! To Cec, thanks for your patience as I learnt the ropes, for sorting out the hiccups created by the newbies along the way and mostly for asking me to be part of this awesome DT on Sugar Creek Hollow! It has been an amazing journey, one I will treasure and perhaps in time to come, repeat, but for now, I know I need to pay more attention to other areas in my life in 2014 and do not want to short change SCH's awesome followers or the team, by being late of not keeping up the amazing standard set by you all. My heartfelt thanks to the wonderful team, who encouraged me along the way and sent such supportive messages that always came through just when I needed them! I want to wish each and every one of you ladies many happy designing hours and I look forward to catching up with you all on your blogs. 
To the SCH followers, please keep visiting the ladies and leaving comments as that is what keeps us all focused and creating. I now know the hard work that goes into being on a DT. It is really hard work, with deadlines and computer work that never ends, so give them all a little bit of love in a message with each post. It keeps them going!

On a personal note, a special thanks to my darling Hubs, who is so supportive and will make whatever I asked him to do for my projects. Who patiently waits for dinner/tea/lunch/whatever, whilst I 'quickly finish' something and hours later remember him still waiting. What would I do without you, darling?

When you read this post, we will be up in the air on our way to Cape Town to spend two weeks with our darling children and get to say hello to our first Grandchild (albeit still in Mum's tum)! I have no words to describe the happiness this visit will bring us both. It would have been more than a year since last we spent time with our darlings and now, a Grandson on the way, how blessed can we be?? We will get two glorious weeks with them all, get to shop together, cook together and pray together. Open presents together, snap crackers together and lay around like beached whales together after Christmas lunch cooked by me 'Mom'. OMW, how special is this time going to be? Then, back again in February for the birth of our precious little boy!

I doubt that there will be any more posts from me this year, as I will have so much to do with my family in CT, I am unlikely to spend much time at the computer. But, you never know.....

I will for now however, wish each and everyone of you, God's Richest Blessings for a wonderful Blessed Christmas and may 2014 bring you all that God thinks is necessary. May you be happy, creative and blessed with family and good health.

Until 2014, God Bless and Hugz from
Moz

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Vintage Christmas Card

Hello there! 
So good of you to stop by my blog to see what I'm up to! May I wish all my USA and Canadian followers belated Thanksgiving wishes and I hope you all still have a few dollars left in the bank after the awesome Black Friday sales! I was hard pressed to resist the specials that kept popping up in my inbox!

This week at Sugar Creek Hollow,  Challenge # 75 is "Anything Vintage-Christmas" and you can make a card, box, gift, in fact anything, so long as it has the Vintage Christmas look about it! 

We are also thrilled to have a Guest Designer join us this week. Please do pop over to say hello to Avril Branthwaite from Mrs B's Crafting Addiction Blog to see her lovely work! Stunning!

Right, onto my project for this challenge.



I received this Spellbinders 2013 Heirloom Ornament in the post a couple of weeks ago and have been dying to use it. I also had these amazing images from Artcult over at Etsy and the fact that they were circular, made my mind up for me to go with this combo. Then, digging in my 'Christmas' card stock box, (yes I have a box just with Christmas card stock, as I collect throughout the year - am a pushover for anything Christmas...lol!) I found this lovely sheet from Teresa Collins' Noel collection  which I used for the background. So, I cut it to size, and distressed the edges and treated them to a work over with Vintage Paper Distress Ink. I also found a beautiful heart shaped doily in my stash that had the Vintage Paper treatment as well and adhered it to the music back ground. I was so glad I used it as it did not obscure much of the music background, but added the interest I was looking for. I also added a strip of lace paper tape to the card, which is hardly seen, but seemed necessary!


 I was busy working on another project and had torn off this amazing gold card! So, like any good crafter would, I recycled it and die cut the baubles out of it. Stunning gold, but very, very bright, so the Vintage Paper DI was worked into it as well. Toned it down enough for my liking, and I then added the die cut images from the Artcult sheet. It was hard to choose just these images as there were several I really liked. 


 I went looking for a sentiment die and found two Tim Holtz Alterations sets that would work perfectly. I decided that "Joy" from the 'Stacked Words: Christmas" 658257 set would be perfect on this card with the child and toy sack and beloved Santa's, so I cut out the "Joy to the world" set and snipped the 'Joy' part off to use.


I then used the 'Festive Greenery' 657467 set for all the leaves I needed and found different green off-cuts to use. 
I had been fabric shopping the day before and found amazing glitter/velvet ribbon at the shop and of course a meter or two of each color and width simply found it's way into my shopping basket, so there was no doubt about what ribbon to use, just which color....lol! (Procrastination is the delaying factor with every card I make and perhaps, the color choice was what took the longest when making this card!) I placed the leaves, popping up some with foam squares and then went crazy with the Stickles, as you can see! The Xmas Red made awesome Holly Berries!

That's my card folks and I hope you like it! Please do pay a visit to my 'Teamies' - links in the side bar to the right, to see what awesome creations they have produced for this challenge and then make yourself a cup of your favorite brew, sit down and make something to enter into our challenge for this fortnight! You could put yourself in line for a Guest Designer spot with Sugar Creek Hollow!

Have a great, productive week and I'll chat again with you, soon!
Hugz
Moz

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Wedding Card

Hi there,

Following on from my last post, I'd like to share the wedding card I made for the couple, with you!

As there color scheme was Purple and Silver with a hint of White, I tried to stay in line, but not mimic the invitation in any way.

 The card was a 15cm square card made up of several layers, as you can ee.



I had decided to go with the hearts theme as it was very much part of their decor, and selected the Joy Filler Heart die set which I backed with W&M Silver Vellum with hearts on it.



It was enclosed on the inside so that no ugly backing showed.


I added flowers to this card to soften it a little, by creating little posies in opposite corners.




I just had to cut a few more butterflies for the card....lol!
Truly done with them for a long while!

I hope you liked my card and thanks so much for stopping in for a visit.

Hugz
Moz

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Wedding Invitations

WE had a family wedding last Saturday and I made the invitations, service leaflet etc. as a gift for my Nephew and his lovely lady. I just thought I would show you the invitation I made them for their special day. 


The chosen colors were Purple and Silver and I managed to squeeze in some ice white shimmer card and vellum for contrast!

It was a pull out invitation with a map on the rear end for directions to the venue. I think I cut at least 600 butterflies, possibly more, by the time this wedding was over!

Memory Box dies were used for most of the die cutting together with a Martha Stewart punch for these lovely curves.   




This little ensemble was on the envelope for the couple.

Below is the collection of invitations just before delivery, all bundled up for delivery.





They were very well received and I was very relieved to finish this project as the end never seemed in sight....lol!




I will share the wedding card I made in the next post.

Thanks so much for stopping in for a visit. Always great to know you have been here.

Hugz
Moz











Saturday, November 16, 2013

Angel Tag

Hello everyone!! Welcome to my DT post for Sugar Creek Hollow!

This fortnight the challenge theme # 74 is "Vintage Tags & Boxes" which could be for Christmas!

This was absolutely perfect for me as I do a Vintage Christmas Tag theme every Christmas for myself, to add to my Christmas Stash and I could add this tag to it as well!

Vintage Angel Tag, using a Digital Collage Studio Image!

I chose a delightful Angel from Digital Collage Studio and printed and fussy cut her out and molded it with embossing tools and a foam pad. This helps create dimension. I set it aside and went to work on the tag.

I started this project with a beautiful red tag cut out of a metallic finish card - stunning! But, what was I thinking of?? It really was far too bright so I had to quieten it down with Gesso, but only after I had done some playing around with my new Wendy Vechi Translucent Embossing Paste and Tim Holtz 'Rays' stencil. The effect was stunning, but not right for the end result I needed, so I took the Gold Embossing Paste and lay the stencil down again and filled in between the translucent rays with the gold paste. Wow, absolutely stunning again, but not right for this tag..... I was feeling really depressed as I so wanted the rays, so out came the Gesso and I lay the stencil down again, covering up the gold and laying down the Gesso onto the translucent rays. A real waste, but I was happy with the result. If you look on the right side you will see these 'rays' peeping through the gauze. On closer inspection, you will see how rich and opulent the gold really is! I can't wait to play some more with these pastes and stencils. 

OK, back to the tag. Once I was happy with the 'rays' I lay some gauze down and positioned the Angel. It was getting better all the time. I found a die cut on my desk and cut it in half and positioned it behind the Angel's head, and touched it with Gesso, to soften the brightness, added some rhinestones and was happy to leave it like that. 
A close up of the head fan and wings!


Into the box with scraps of lace and out came the flowers and the lovely strip I placed at the bottom. Both so perfect, I was thrilled.


It still needed something. I had these awesome rhinestones so onto the project they went. 
If you know my work, it is no secret that I seldom use lots of flowers. The odd one here and there, but never a big bunch on a card, so it came as a surprise to me that I had put together this little 'posy' and it looked good and so pretty!


The stunning lace and sweet posy on the tag.

So dear friends, this is my take on the Challenge this fortnight. I do hope you will join in the fun and upload your project for us all to see. Please do visit my 'teamies' links to their blogs on the right side of this post.

Another bit of news is that we have a Guest Designer playing along this week. Her name is Bonnie and her blog is Making Time 2 Craft  Please do pay her a visit to see what she has been up to - a very inspiring blog!

I'm looking forward to visiting your blogs once you have posted your entry.
Have a wonderful weekend and keep creating!

Hugz
Moz

Friday, November 15, 2013

Too Many Mince Pies, Santa!!

Hi everyone!

I had such a fun class yesterday. We made Christmas Cards, all of which were quick and easy and this one, a lot of fun!

It looks so CAS and in fact, boring, until you open it!

I used an A4 navy blue card and made up a Gate Fold Easel Card.

The images are digi's from Bird's Cards and are Freebie's, so do shoot over and claim them! I follow the blog and you cannot believe the amazing projects Bird designs for digital cutting machines. She is so generous with freebies as well and I have used so many of her amazing designs!

The circle sentiment front has a few rhinestones added and the Memory Box Hanging Stars die cut added for interest.

Open it and......
...... lift the easel, and you have this gorgeous image, that I so enjoyed coloring with Copic's, added Pearly Glass Liner and glitter for the snow, as I did not have Puff Paint, but it works just fine.

The other item I used was a delightful combo stamp and die set from Marianne Collectibles - COL 1340, which consists of the clouds and signposts as well as the cute sleigh! Don't you just love it? I must say I enjoyed this card and the girls all had such fun with it.

Now, I am turning my house upside down looking for this Collectibles set and praying one of the girls has it, otherwise my sweet little baby 'boy' Lab, has taken it and buried it in the garden, with all the other items that have vanished!

He is a mischief, but so adorable and he has me exactly where he wants me......lol! I will download photo's from our phones and do a post all about Bruno, who likes to swim with the Koi!  

The secret is now out - you know why I have not had so many projects and blog posts in the last 4 months... The little man keeps me on the hop & wears me out!!

Back to the card. Below, is a picture of the card opened up, showing all the details.



Thanks so much for stopping in and sharing my fun card with me! I'll be back with my DT post for Sugar Creek Hollow tomorrow. See you then!

Hugz from Moz


Friday, November 8, 2013

Good Enough To Eat??

Hello there!

Here we are, Friday again! I'm scared to count the weeks left in this year! It's scary how fast time is going.

I just wanted to share with you, the follow on from my last post. I was asked to make a couple of pretty 'cup cakes' to hold jewelery, for some sweet expectant Mom's, at their Stork Parties! Isn't that such a nice idea? When everything is about the coming 'baby' that the Mom's get spoilt a little as well? Gladdens my heart!

So, without further ado, I present the sweetest, prettiest 'cup cakes', on the tea table, looking good enough to eat!  ** Please see post script below.....


Pretty in Pink!


A 'Dreamy, Creamy' Cup Cake with a tag
 for the message!

'Dreamy, Creamy' top view.

With the 'lid' off, ready for the 'gift'.
White and shimmery, with 'bouquet' toppers.
I tried to capture the shimmer on the card
as well as on the 'icing'!

So hard to choose two, so the lady bought all four!

Thanks for 'indulging' me with my 'cup cakes'! I have since received more orders, so it looks like I am going to be 'cup-caking' for a good few days ahead!

Enjoy the weekend and I will chat to you again soon! 
Hugz
Moz

**
P.S. Acknowledgements to Rebecca Primrose of "Paper Primrose" for her tutorial for these cupcakeshttp://www.paperprimrose.com/2013/09/saturday-step-x-step-2/. My apologies for not acknowledging before, but I did a 'copy and past' of the tutorial and filed it. When I wanted to use it, it had no source origin on it. My apologies Rebecca and grateful thanks for sharing the tutorial, as I have had such fun with these 'cuties'.  Hugz from Moz

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Cute Christmas Cup Cake!

Hi there!
Just a quick post to share these cute cup cakes we are making tomorrow morning! Thursday's are 'crafty' mornings and we are making these as a couple of the ladies want to make a lot for their Christmas dinner table, as favors with chocolates in, for the guests to take home! I may well do some, but we are travelling to Cape Town for Christmas this year and already think I am over the baggage limit, and that is just packing 'in my head'! What is going to happen when it is for real, is another story!



The top of the cup cake 'lifts' off and you can pack whatever you like inside, replace the 'lid' and pop it into the cup cake box, so it stays together for carrying off home!

Such fun to make and lovely for kiddies parties and a million other uses! I have an order for 3 for a baby shower, and little gifts will be inside the cup cake!

Such fun!

Thanks for popping in and I do hope you are inspired! 

Hugz
Moz


P.S. Acknowledgements to Rebecca Primrose of "Paper Primrose" for her tutorial for these cupcakeshttp://www.paperprimrose.com/2013/09/saturday-step-x-step-2/. My apologies for not acknowledging before, but I did a 'copy and past' of the tutorial and filed it. When I wanted to use it, it had no source origin on it. My apologies Rebecca and grateful thanks for sharing the tutorial, as I have had such fun with these 'cuties'.  Hugz from Moz

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Anything Goes - Vintage.

Hello dear friends!
It is always such a pleasure to share my projects with you and I really appreciate the time you take to read my posts and leave comments for me to enjoy! Such a thrill when a fellow crafter enjoys my work and gives me the thumbs up....lol!

Today my post is a Sugar Creek Hollow Design Team project for our # 73 Challenge - Anything Goes : Vintage! You can really get into this kind of challenge. Pull out all the stops and let's see your work! Every week we the DT, are constantly amazed at the vast amount of talent out there and all are very grateful that we have been given the chance to be on the Design Team for Sugar Creek Hollow and get to share our version of each challenge with you.

Because my project was not 'heavy' into paper, I asked Cec if I would be able to share this with your all as it really is a "Vintage" piece of work. I do have a teeny weeny bit of paper on the base and of course the flowers, so not entirely out of the spec's. Cec graciously agreed to let me do so as mixed media is kind of infiltrating all forms of our paper crafting.

I present my Vintage Dress Form Pin Cushion!

Vintage Dress Form Pin Cushion

The body of the cushion was hand stitched out of a 100% cotton fabric we call 'seed cloth' and stuffed with poly fibre that I use in my teddy bears. I then rummaged in my box of vintage lace, most of which I have 'inherited' from elderly friends who have either relocated or down sized their 'stash'. Some lace is genuine 'vintage' lace that has been passed down several generations and those bits I treasure! I then 'fussy cut' the lace so that I could arrange it onto the dress form and hand stitched it down. I got out my seed beads and filled in little flowers here and there. I also created a collar which I stitched down and found this amazing little cameo brooch I have been hording for years, waiting for the right project to present itself! This is it, so I attached it with pleasure and joy!

A close up of the Cameo Brooch
The stand was adorned with very, very old cotton reels, also passed down to me and the one with the thread on was a perfect color match to the dress. The bottom one had no thread on it,so I found this old measuring tape and wound it onto the reel. The thimble was laying in my sewing box and was not a particularly good one so I used it on the base and added paper roses, leaves and more lace to pretty it up. 

The base decorated with lace, flowers and sewing
accessories.

I think it is very obvious to all that I love creating pretty things, but I am also a very practical person who wants it to be useful as well, so I am now collecting pretty pins to stick into the cushion. This is really a 'show off' cushion and I have made a couple of others, one done and one almost complete, that will become my sewing machine mates. Because these are tall and have a small foot print, they are ideal for next to your sewing machine. Besides they make awesome gifts too! I will be sharing the others with you soon!

So folks, that is my contribution to 'Anything Goes - Vintage' at "Sugar Creek Hollow" this week and I would love for you to pop over and see what my teamies have created - links in my side bar on the  right.
Remember, you have two weeks, so get creating and you could be chosen to be selected as a Guest Designer! How awesome is that?

Till next we chat, enjoy your weekend wherever you are. Keep well, and safe and God Bless!

Hugz
Moz

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Magnetic Memo Pads

Hello there!

Sneaking in with a quick post. Things have been hectic around here for a short while and I have not had time to do much blogging....sorry! I promise to try to get back up to speed soon!

In the mean time, I can show you a fabulous gift idea I shared with friends last week. This 'gift' was inspired by my dear friend Paola, who shared what she had done when making these up for a shop in her area. Thank you dear heart!

I modified mine slightly, by adding a firm strip of plastic underneath the sentiment so that the paper would be able to tear of easily. Basically, this is a memo pad with a very strong magnetic sheet on the back, that will stay firmly in place on your refrigerator. Ideal for everyone to write down when the 'last' item has been used....ha-ha-ha! In real life, we know that does not happen, but we can only try.....lol!


Three different versions! I could not stop making them......

I used ordinary gift wrap, applied with Modge and neatly folded to the back. The Magnet hid the paper ends and ribbon back perfectly.

This is the one I shared with friends.
This is my favorite one and needless to say, the 'girls' loved it as well. They all got stuck in and played all morning. It was such fun and we will be doing it again soon!

Thanks for popping in to see what I have been up to.

See you then and thanks so much for stopping in.

Hugz
Moz

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Birds, Nests & Sweet Children!

Hello! So good of you to stop by to see what I'm busy with.
This Fortnight's challenge, #71, at Sugar Creek Hollow is "Bird's of a Feather". 

I found a lovely image, on my travels some time ago and saved it to my computer. Unfortunately, I did not record the source...Sorry! It is the sweetest, old fashioned image and a lovely verse, which unfortunately, I was not able to include. Because the image is small and there is a sweetness about it, I decided to keep the card in proportion and went with an easel card.



 I created the easel using a Joy die 6002/0147 cut out of Opale Wove Diamond White card. The patterned paper, both floral and blue spots, are from my box of scraps, so no names, sorry, and die cut with Nellie's Multi-Frame Circles. Everything was giving a soft 'touch' of Distress Ink in either Burlap or Old Paper.





I highlighted the eggs in the nest with Glossy Accents and the birds where cut, using Memory Box Resting Birds die, out of Cor'dinations and lightly sanded.

I used beautiful seam binding called Rancho Red, that was gifted to me a very dear friend. At first I thought it was too strong a color and tried out a softer pink, but realised that this color seemed to lift the card somewhat. I tied a double bow, using my Bow Maker (love that gadget!)

Onto the inside of the easel. I wanted some flowers, but fairly flat flowers because of the card closure, so turned to my awesome Olba Punch set. I absolutely love this set as it somehow fits into my idea of  'all things miniature'. I punched out and shaped these little flowers, mounted them and added a little pearl to the centers. I then punched out some leaves, lay then onto the card and arranged the flowers on top of them. They needed a touch of sparkle, so added some Stickles to the flowers with a toothpick!


I wanted a sentiment that was thoughtful and found this lovely one in my stash from Verve. It is VS-09-PJ029 and I stamped it using Hero Arts 'Charcoal' Ink. Much softer than black and I was very happy with the way it looked on the mottled blue card. Such a beautiful verse and one that I should have foremost in my mind. The last touches added were some more birds and of course, pearls!

Please do pop in and visit my teamies - links on the right side of the blog - to see their amazing creations and then get your thinking caps on and please enter our challenge! We ask you to please use both Birds & Nests on your projects and they need to be a Vintage and/or Shabby Chic creation to qualify for the prize or guest designer spot. We also have a guest designer, Anne Marie Governale and you can see her stunning work at on her blog My Eclectic Spirit.

It is so good to pop in and visit you all when you do link to a challenge.

Till next we chat dear friends, keep well, keep creating and God Bless!

Hugz
Moz


Sunday, October 13, 2013

Advent Calendar 2013

Hello there!

Good of you to pop in for a visit! Today I am sharing this years Advent Calendar I made up and taught a few weeks ago. 

This is what really got me going with using my lovely Silhouette, which is now a year old (*blush*) and I am so thrilled that I have made a start. I have signed up for an online class, but need to schedule a day or two to just concentrate on it, without interruptions (?) so I can focus and absorb! However, I was able to download the files I wanted to use, re size/duplicate images etc. with using the computer skills I already have and everything worked out just fine! What a fantastic tool this machine is and I need to remind myself of it's many uses and applications as I work on my classes.

Right, onto this calendar. I used the Graphics 45 Christmas Emporium papers from last year exclusively on this calendar. Because there are so many small images in this set, it worked out beautifully!

The front, closed.
6th December


I had to break up the numbers into two sections, because, with the layers of card on each number, the bulk built up and made the number collection protrude and it looked out of proportion. So splitting them up reduced the bulk somewhat. The middle section has numbers 1 to 12 and the cover, which you see above and the numbers on the left are from 13 to 25 with a cover as you see above and with the number showing, as below.

25th December!
Below is a back view of the calendar. I really did not want to have a boring back view, so carried on adding cut outs from the papers to the backs of each page.

Back view

I cut the "Countdown to Christmas" and the number flags/tags with the Silhouette, used lovely background papers from Nitwit Collection, good old Kraft card for the calendar base and flag/tags and then red, green and gold card stock for the rest of the project. 

Of course Christmas for me has to have Poinsettia flowers (my version of a hot Christmas' Snowflakes...lol) so out came my Nellie Snellen punch and emboss sets, with the holly one as well and gold Flowersoft for the centers. The border of the red card is made with a EK Success punch - sorry don't have the name (wish they would put the names on each punch as I forget to!). Lots of Distress Ink in Vintage Stain and some careful measuring and punching finished it all off with a binding wire at the top.

It was a lot of work, but so worth it. I know my ladies absolutely loved the finished calendar and I ignored the grumbling during the repetitive work it took to get it done...lol!

Well, I'm now very happy that I have another item that will go into my Christmas Collection this festive season. There is another one in the pipeline, but you will have to wait for that one!

I love everything 'Christmas' and have always tried to make something special for my collection, in the hope that when I am no longer with my family, they will have some part of 'me' with them every year at my favorite time. My wish is that my children and grandchildren, one day, will look at all these projects, made with so much love, and somehow 'feel' that I am part of their Christmas every year!

Wishing you all a lovely, happy, crafty week, with lots of love and laughter to help you through!

Warm Hugz
Moz